BARBARA Collins (née Smyth), doyenne of Curragh trainers’ wives and chatelaine of Conyngham Lodge, died at home last Saturday, November 1st, having been widowed since Con Collins went to his reward in January 2007, aged 81.

Barbara was a fashion buyer for Switzers, the Dublin department store which became part of the Brown Thomas group.

Her husband Con was content to let his horses do the talking, as bookmakers quickly came to attest when the former amateur rider and son of Conyngham Lodge legend Michael Collins opened his training account in March 1952 with Hallejuhah II, owned by George Garrett, the US Minister to Eire. Bookmaker William Hill became one of Con’s early patrons, rewarded when Mahound won the Patriotic Stakes and Maher Nursery.

He was followed by northern bookmaker Alfie McLean, another intrepid gambler and owner of Con’s 1978 Observer Gold Cup winner, Sandy Creek.

Barbara had been blessed with three daughters by the time her colours were carried to feature race success by Old Faithful in the 1984 Madrid Handicap.

Five years later, Barbara enjoyed further feature race success with the cleverly-named Is King, for the horse had only one eye. Winners followed regularly, highlighted by The Bower in the 1995 Irish Cambridgeshire.

By the time of Barbara’s last big-race triumph, with Right Honourable in the 2001 Leopardstown Handicap, Con had become ably assisted by daughters Tracey and Sheena. Their roles became even more vital when Con suffered a broken leg when kicked by a horse in the Curragh parade ring in 2005.

Tracey duly took over as trainer in Conyngham Lodge following Con’s death. Everyone who knew the stylish, courteous Barbara Collins could only wish her well in her next life.

At Wednesday’s funeral Mass, Tracey recited The Hoofs of the Horses by William Henry Ogilvie and described Barbara as “charming, elegant, witty, kind, powerful, strong, fun, smart, fashionable, intelligent and a caring woman who had great faith and was so loyal.”

Barbara is survived by her loving family Sheena, Tracey, Natalie, Elaine, Maoliosa, Rachel, Philip, Pat, Hubert, Kate, Anna and Frances, extended family, neighbours and friends.

G.W.